Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
Active Winter School Holiday Ideas for Kids
April 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Winter school holidays don’t have to mean two weeks of screen time. With the July break running from late June to mid-July across Australian states, parents need a plan to keep kids moving when it’s cold outside. This guide covers indoor and outdoor activities — from rock climbing and heated pools to bushwalking and free council programs — that deliver real physical activity without breaking the budget. Organised by age group, with specific tips for Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane families.
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Grip Strength: The 10-Second Health Test You Can Do at Home
A simple squeeze of your hand could reveal more about your long-term health than most blood tests. A 2026 meta-analysis of over 900,000 people found that grip strength asymmetry — a significant difference between your left and right hands — increases all-cause mortality risk by 12 per cent. When combined...
Main Yarra Trail Melbourne — Cycling and Walking Guide
The Main Yarra Trail is one of Melbourne's most rewarding shared paths — and one of the most overlooked by anyone who didn't grow up near it.
This guide covers the full route from end to end — where to start, what the surface is like, which landmarks to look...
Regional Australians Walk 75 Minutes More in Walkable Towns
New research from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research has found that people in highly walkable regional towns walk 75 minutes more each week than those in areas with poor walkability — nearly double the difference seen in cities.
With regional Australians facing higher rates of chronic disease and fewer...
Exercise Halves Premature Death Risk for Midlife Women
A major Australian study tracking more than 11,000 women over 15 years has found that those who consistently met physical activity guidelines through their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s halved their risk of dying prematurely. The research was one of the largest studies of its kind globally. Here's what the...
Get Active for Less: The Changes Proposed to Make Fitness More Affordable in Australia
With the cost of living biting hard, getting active can feel like the last thing you can afford. But a bold new proposal from Australia's peak fitness body could be about to change that — with $500 family vouchers for gyms and studios, tax-free gym perks through your employer, and...
Can an E-Bike Be the Key to Your Fitness Journey?
If you’ve ever felt that traditional cycling was too demanding or that injuries were holding you back from staying active, you aren’t alone. A recent qualitative study on the NZ HIKO e-bike programme highlights how electric bikes are acting as a powerful "circuit breaker" for inactivity. By reducing the physical...
Stronger Together: Why Social Connection is the Secret Ingredient to Staying Active
New research reveals that for older adults, physical health and social circles are two sides of the same coin—offering a powerful strategy to fight loneliness while staying fit. Recent findings suggest that treating strong social networks and physical activity as "inextricably linked" can dramatically improve well-being, yet nearly 57% of...
The Resolution Trap: Why ‘All-or-Nothing’ is the Enemy of Consistency
The "New Year, New Me" energy is a powerful motivator, but it often comes with a hidden trap: the all-or-nothing mindset. Many of us start January with rigid fitness resolutions, believing that if we can't commit to a full hour at the gym or a high-intensity session, it’s not worth...
More Than Just a Walk: How Outdoor Groups Build Community for CALD Women
Beyond the physical benefits of exercise, getting outdoors provides a vital pathway for social connection and cultural exchange. Drawing on the 2025 SAFE research by RMIT University, we explore how community-led outdoor groups are helping women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds overcome barriers to participation. From reducing isolation...
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